A protest to demand good governance and better economic conditions organized by Tu-Face Idibia kicks off today simultaneously in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and other major cities across the country.

However, the decision to stage the process has been met with stiff opposition by the police, which necessitated its cancellation by the leader of the protest – Tu-Face.

In Lagos, the protesters are expected to march from National Stadium in Surulere to the National Theatre, Iganmu, a distance of about four kilometres.

Inside the stadium, there are dozens of people carrying placards, as well as armed police officers, while outside the National Stadium, there at least half a dozen police patrol vans and more than 20 armed police officers.

Yemi Adamolekun of the ‘Enough is Enough Nigeria’ said the group was not discouraged by the decision of Tuface Idibia to back out of the protest.

Earlier, police at the entrance to the National Stadium, Surulere, stopped sports men and women from entering the stadium for their morning activities. The police officers had said the stadium would be closed because of the protest.

Upon arrival at the stadium, the Lagos Commisioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, denied authorising the blockade at the stadium. “If you look towards the gate you will see that the gates have been opened and our men are just controlling the flow of traffic and people, and my men are all stationed to douse any kind of fear from the minds of the protesters,” Mr. Owoseni said.

So far, less than 100 people have turned out for the protest. According to an entertainer, Olu Martins “The approach is very simple. It is to tell them that if people resolve, nothing can stop them. We have resolved that Nigeria must change.

“We are here at the National Stadium, that tells you the problem with Nigeria. From here we march to the National Theatre, another national asset that is in shambles. This is a peaceful protest. For the avoidance of doubt, let me say one more time, this is a peaceful protest. Please follow instructions so that we can start well and end well.”

Yemi Adamolekun said “We need to prove them wrong. We have marshals in reflector jackets. The police are here to protect us. The fact that government wants to stop the protest shows that protests are very important.”

Comedian Seyi Law has arrived to join the protest.